MANILA, Philippines — Philippine legislators criticized a China state media outlet’s “racist” depiction of Filipinos as a “monkey” that only follows the will of powerful allies.

“The racist depiction by China Daily, a Chinese state-controlled media outlet, of Filipinos as monkeys at the mercy of the United States and Japan simply shows that China’s arrogance knows no bounds. It further reveals how little they think of us and how highly they think of themselves. This is another act that reflects the mindset of an entitled bully,” said Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima in a statement on Friday, July 17.  

“On the other hand, it also shows China’s continued insecurity and frustration because our country refuses to yield in upholding our sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea. Unlike during the previous administration, we do not kowtow to their caprices,” added De Lima. 

The one-minute video, which was released on July 10, depicts an anthromorphized monkey wearing a traditional salakot and barong being dragged and directed by hands labeled “USA” and “Japan.” The monkey, after reading off the “wrong script” is then tossed out to sea and is hit by water cannons before it interacts with a whale who bemoans the destruction of its environment. 

The China Daily video is but the latest in a very long list of videos or claims from China that try to undermine the Philippines’ position, actions, and stand on the West Philippine Sea, an area within the South China Sea that includes the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. 

The video has triggered a maelstrom of strong rebukes from both the Philippine government and Filiipinos online. De Lima’s sentiments echoed an earlier statement of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who said the video “reveals [China] as neither a secure and confident actor nor a trustworthy neighbor.” 

Teodoro, defense chief since 2023, has been sanctioned by Beijing over previous statements made on the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and its actions in the West Philippine Sea. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), meanwhile, has protested in person before Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, formally to its embassy in Manila, and before China Daily through the Philippine embassy in Beijing. In all their protests, Manila’s diplomats demanded that China Daily take down the video. 

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said “racism has no place in any society that values truth and civility.” 

“I am calling for a return to intelligent, respectful dialogue among all parties, urging media and institutions to exercise greater circumspection and refrain from producing or circulating such materials in the future. Disagreements between nations should sharpen our reasoning, not our prejudices. We call on all sides to be more circumspect and to choose dialogue over derision,” said Gatchalian. 

Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing or the Chinese embassy in Manila have issued replies to the Philippines’ demand that the video be taken down. 

Senator Francis Pangilinan, a member of the majority, said it was extra disappointing for the video to have come from a state-run media outfit of a rising world power. 

“Sa halip na magtaguyod ng pag-unawa at paggalang, ang ganitong uri ng propaganda ay hindi lamang nang-iinsulto sa mga Pilipino, sumisira rin sa hangarin ng China na kilalanin bilang isang responsable at iginagalang na lider sa international community,” he said, joining the call of the DFA for the video to be taken down. 

(Instead of establishing respect and understanding, this kind of propaganda not only insults Filipinos but hinders China’s aspirations of being recognized as a responsible and respected leader in the international community.) 

In a joint statement, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega, Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun, Lanao del Norte 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong, and Manila 1st District Representative Ernix Dionisio said the China Daily video “exposes the moral bankruptcy and intellectual desperation of Beijing’s propaganda apparatus.” 

Like Pangilinan, the four legislators — collectively self-styled as the “Young Guns” of the House of Representatives — said the state media’s video “is not how a responsible regional power behaves.” 

“This latest incident follows a clear pattern: China first illegally claims vast areas of the South China Sea that belong to the Philippines under international law. When lawfully rebuked, it now resorts to mockery and racist caricature,” they said. 

Senator Robin Padilla said he supports the DFA’s statement and actions. This is a turnaround from the position he took months ago, when he refused to sign Senate Resolution 256 condemning the Chinese embassy for its “improper” criticism of Philippine officials and institutions defending the country’s sovereignty.

“Ang kalayaan sa pagpapahayag at pampulitikang diskurso ay hindi kailanman maaaring maging dahilan upang yurakan ang dignidad ng isang lahi o bansa. Ang paglalarawan sa mga Pilipino sa isang mapanlait at nakabababang paraan ay hindi katanggap-tanggap at nararapat lamang na kondenahin,” Padilla sad in a statement on Friday.

(Freedom of speech and political speech should never be a reason to step on the dignity of a race or country. The depiction of Filipinos in a demeaning way is not acceptable and must be rejected.) 

Beijing, for a decade and running, does not recognize the 2016 Arbitral Award, even if it should be final and binding. For Filipinos, this has meant facing the danger of harassment and physical harm when venturing out into the West Philippine Sea. The China Coast Guard (CCG) routinely uses water cannons to try to drive away Philippine government boats and even fisherfolk in smaller, wooden ships. 

Harassment has also came in the form of dangerous maneuvers and collisions. 

A Philippine soldier in June 2024 lost his thumb after the CCG rammed their boats while moored close to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. Two Chinese ships — a CCG vessel and a much larger Navy ship — collided off the waters of Scarborough Shoal in August 2025 while both were trying to chase a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.

Bilateral ties between Manila and Beijing have turned tense under the Marcos administration over China’s maritime harassment, in contrast to its immediate predecessor, the Duterte administration, that set aside the landmark award in hopes of better ties with China. – Rappler.com